Gael Monfils has branded criticism of his wife Elina Svitolina as “venomous” and “upsetting” following the announcement of their separation.
Svitolina announced the end of one of tennis’ most high-profile relationships in an emotional post on Instagram earlier this week. In it, she attributed the split in part to the mental toll of Russia’s ongoing war in her native Ukraine. That prompted a wave of hostility online towards the world No 6, which grew stronger when she confirmed that the end of the marriage had led Monfils to retire earlier than planned.
The 40-year-old Frenchman had been due to bow out at the Paris Masters next month, but his second-round loss to Learner Tien at the US Open ended up being his last match as a professional.
Monfils defends his wife
Monfils rushed to Svitolina’s defence in an Instagram post on Friday. “Even though she did not owe anyone an explanation, Elina chose to speak vulnerably and truthfully about her reasons for this decision,” he wrote.
“She did so in the best way she knew how. Many decided that her explanation wasn’t perfect enough, and Elina has now faced a kind of criticism that I have found unkind at best and venomous at worst.”
He added: “Elina and I may no longer be a couple, but we are still a family. Though my heart hurts, I am forever grateful to her for her support and love over the years.
“While I am deeply grateful that the public feels so invested in my happiness, I have found the lack of grace and kindness shown towards Elina upsetting. While some may not understand her reasons, or agree with them, please remember that there is so much more that happens in a relationship behind the curtain that cannot be explained in a post.”
Monfils concluded: “Elina has her battles to fight, just as I have mine. I respect her choices and reasons, and we will continue to support and care deeply about each other, especially as two people who share a child.”
Svitolina explains the decision
Svitolina, a four-time Grand Slam semi-finalist, and former world No 6 Monfils married in 2021 and have a four-year-old daughter called Skai.
In her social media post, Svitolina said she had come to realise she needed to rediscover herself and could no longer do so within her marriage. “This is the most difficult thing I have ever had to share,” she wrote.
“Everyone knows how much Ukraine means to me. What I have rarely spoken about is what the war has done to me inside. With time, I came to understand that I need to find my way back to myself and that I cannot do that within our marriage.”
She continued: “It is the hardest truth I have ever had to face and the hardest thing I have ever had to tell the person I love. Gael listened. He has respected what I need with a strength and grace I will never forget.”
Svitolina added: “Skai will always come first. Our marriage is ending, but our family is not. Please know that there is no one to blame here. There are only two people who loved each other deeply and a story that is changing shape.”
Recent form together
Only a few months ago, Svitolina and Monfils had joined forces to reach the semi-finals of the US Open Mixed Doubles Championship. They had impressed in the tournament until they came up against Belinda Bencic and Flavio Cobolli in the last four.
More recently, Svitolina competed at the Wuhan Open, where she ran into an inspired Sonay Kartal. The Brit won their quarter-final clash in three sets.